CDC Protects People from Disease and Injury

CDC’s Disease Detective Camp
Twice a summer the David J. Spencer CDC Museum hosts a Disease Detectives Camp for high school students. This June, during a week-long crash course in epidemiology, a group of juniors and seniors had a chance to explore not only CDC’s Atlanta campus, but also the many jobs that CDC has to offer.

How CDC’s Quarantine Stations Welcome New Arrivals to the United States and Protect the Health of U.S. Communities
With 1 billion people crossing international borders each year, there is nowhere in the world from which we are remote and no one from whom we are disconnected. That is why the CDC’s Quarantine Stations, often called Q-stations, are so important. U.S. Quarantine Stations are part of a broad system that serves to limit the introduction and spread of infectious diseases into the United States.

100 Years in Mining History and Service
For more than 100 years the CDC/NIOSH Bruceton Experimental and Safety Research Coal Mine, has been the site of test explosions, simulated rescue exercises, and research in health and safety interventions for mine workers.

CDC Celebrates National Nurses Week
At CDC there are over 200 nurses that serve as branch chiefs, deputy directors, EIS officers, public health advisors, senior scientists, communicators, educators, and occupational health nurses. National Nurses Week is celebrated annually from May 6 to May 12, the birthday of Florence Nightingale, founder of modern nursing.

Healing the Brain, with Clinicians in Mind
While most athletes with a concussion recover quickly and fully, some like Sarah, will have symptoms that last for days, weeks, or even months. This doesn’t just affect an athlete on the sports field, but can impact their ability to participate in school and even their daily activities.

Strengthening Vital Records through NPHII
The Tennessee Department of Health is revamping the way they collect vital records from a paper-based system to an electronic system, which will benefit every Tennessee resident. Vital records are the backbone of a wide variety of functions. Vital records are used not only to track births and deaths, but to help monitor the health of citizens and protect information for both individual and national security. Tennessee’s new electronic system will save time and money by replacing an outdated, inefficient paper-based system. Delays and backlogs for records are expected to be minimal.

CDC Ramps up Support for Final Push in Global Polio Eradication Effort
On Wednesday, December 14, CDC Director Thomas R. Frieden, M.D., M.P.H., charged the entire CDC community to become active participants in an intensified strategy to eradicate polio, worldwide. The briefing followed Dr. Frieden’s December 2nd announcement activating CDC’s Emergency Operations Center for the agency’s partnership engagement through the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI). GPEI is committed to eradicating polio by the end of 2012.

Working to Protect Against the Dangers of Dengue
Dengue, a painful and sometimes deadly viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes, threatens more than 3.5 billion people worldwide. Dengue is endemic in at least 100 countries in Southeast Asia, the Pacific Islands, the Caribbean, Central America, South America, and parts of Africa.

Training Young Professionals to Protect the Nation’s Health
During challenging economic times and a public health workforce crisis, the Public Health Associate Program (PHAP) is part of the solution as it equips the next generation of public health professionals to meet growing health demands in the U.S.

Environmental Public Health Tracking Success Stories
CDC currently funds 24 state and local tracking programs as a part of the National Environmental Public Health Tracking Network. These state tracking programs work 24/7 saving lives and protecting people from health threats.

Vision, Duty and Confidence Creates a No-miss Laboratory
Few stories cast the laboratory scientist in a leading role. However, laboratorians across the nation led in the response to the intentional release of anthrax through the mail in 2001. This crisscross of highly prized experts was trained to be able to detect anthrax in lab specimens, with uncompromising precision, by CDC's Tanja Popovic, M.D., Ph.D.

Anthrax response in DC: Very Intense
Rima Khabbaz, M.D., led the CDC field team to the nation's capital during the public health response to the anthrax attacks of 2001. "I would characterize that time as very intense, we were acutely aware that we were dealing with an intentional attack, and focused on doing all we could to try and mitigate the consequences and save lives."

"Please tell me, is it safe to go home?" After 9/11, science offers comfort
The listening skills honed years earlier at a kitchen table on Long Island helped Rear Admiral Sven Rodenbeck, Sc.D., recognize the comfort his science could offer the people of Lower Manhattan following 9/11.

From forest fires to terrorism: A champion for structure within chaos
Rear Admiral Scott Deitchman, M.D., M.P.H., actually is able to see the forest for the trees and has diligently championed more coordinated emergency response at CDC since his work with forest fighters in 1988.

The learning never ends: Disease detectives follow every lead
By the fall of 2001, Daniel Jernigan, M.D., M.P.H., knew his way around respiratory disease investigations. As a seasoned epidemiologist, with the CDC since 1994, Jernigan liked the hunt—who was getting ill, was there a cluster of cases, what relationship did patients have with each other, how long were they ill, when did symptoms begin, what was the attack rate?

The real question was, “Will this hurt someone?”
Not many people can bring up the risks from inhaling anthrax spores, microwave popcorn flavoring and nano particulates in the same conversation. CDC's Ann Hubbs, DVM, Ph.D., is that person. Hubbs was selected to respond to the 2001 intentional release of anthrax, in part, because she had a unique professional background.

Interview with James M. Hughes, M.D.
Read an interview with Dr. Jim Hughes, infectious disease expert and former director of CDC’s National Center for Infectious Disease.

School Asthma Policies Can Save Lives
Asthma attacks make breathing difficult, but avoiding triggers and properly using medication can reduce asthma symptoms and save lives. CDC′s National Asthma Control Program supported laws allowing children to carry medication at school.

Adults Need Immunizations, Too
Your need for immunizations doesn′t end when you reach adulthood. Get and maintain protection against vaccine-preventable diseases for your health and for your family′s health. Be the example!

CDC Reports Vital Information on Binge Drinking
New Vital Signs report shows binge drinking is a dangerous behavior for all ages. This risky behavior can affect the individual, family, and community in many ways. Promoting programs and policies that work to prevent binge drinking is needed at all these levels.

Concussion ABCs: Learn How to Respond
Learn concussion symptoms and how to respond. Know your concussion ABCs: A—Assess the situation. B—Be alert for signs and symptoms. C—Contact a health care professional.

Fall Risks for Older Adults
Falls are the source of most injuries in bathrooms. In one year 234,000 people 15 and older visited emergency rooms due to injuries suffered in bathrooms. Most of these injuries were caused by falls, which can be especially dangerous for older adults.

Hospitals Need Better Maternity Care Practices
Breastfeeding helps protect against childhood obesity. Hospitals need to support breastfeeding moms. The Baby—Friendly Hospital Initiative recommends 10 Steps to Successful Breastfeeding. Find out how better maternity care practices can help mothers start and continue breastfeeding.

Pledge to Protect Your Teen Driver
Parents can help protect their teen drivers from crashes—the leading killer of U.S. teens. Learn more in a new CDC video.

Vaccines Help Protect Travelers of All Ages
Travel within the U.S. or to other countries can be an opportunity for volunteerism or work, fun and relaxation, but also exposure to disease. Make sure you and your loved ones are protected against vaccine–preventable diseases that may be only a plane ride away.